Fifty Plus (50+) - One small victory

I got back into bicycling two years ago after an absence of 8 yrs. When I started again I was 193 lbs and doing my "base" route of 22 mi. at about 14 mph. This route doesn't have any real long hills but a couple 1/4 mi. steep climbs and some gradual ups and downs. Anyway, by the end of last season (Oct around here in eastern CT) I managed a 16.6 mph on this route. Last week (now down to 180 lbs.) I managed to do the ride at 17.8 mph. Now I'm thinking that next year at age 62 I could be knocking on the door to 19 mph. So, all you new and/or older riders "crank on."

:beer:

It's great to hear that wine isn't the only thing that can improve with age! I know I'm certainly a better cyclist at 64 than I was at 54.

I think that this is my favorite kind of post on 50+. What an inspiration to everyone and what an accomplishment. Congrats. That 22 miles seems to be getting shorter and shorter. I'll bet that we are someday going to see a post from you with a time of less than 59:59. I say that because I am 3 years older than you (kid) and am this summer posting my personal bests in distance and speed. Personal goals are the best kind. Thanks for the post and keep getting faster!

Rock on !!!!

:beer:

Happy Trails

Yeah, baby! Ride on!

Yep... it's all about the small victories, isn't it?
Climbed this little baby (http://toporoute.com/cgi-bin/getSavedRoute.cgi?routeKey=OEAPJDHSMDUAVWH) last night (check out the elevation... 9% avg!). Used to do it every night but it just got to be too much of a grind so I went back to it. Did it with no stops -usually have to stop once or twice- and my HR under my doctor's mandated limit. The biggest thrill? I did it without using my inhaler before, during, or after :D Yeah, I was breathing a little bit at the top but, man it felt good.

Crank on!

Ride On!

Sounds like more than a small victory to me. You are doing great!

This is a great thread. It caused me to think again about my progress and pat myself on the back a bit also. Thanks for that. You are indeed doing great.

When I was a young man, I weighed about 145 pounds although I was 6'1". I started riding bikes seriously when I was 21 (I had ridden earlier, but never seriously). I had never been an athlete, I sucked at team sports, but the thing that I really liked about cycling was that I could see results right away. The more I rode, the stronger I got. I could ride faster with less effort, I could ride longer and longer distances the more I rode. Now I weigh around 175 pounds, and I've had girlfriends complain in bed that my legs are too heavy!

Eventually, you reach a point of diminishing returns, but by this time you are keeping up with some of the top guys in the region, accepted as one of them... And to add to that, I am convinced that it slows the aging process. I am nearly 57, but people think I'm in my late 30's or in the 40's. I still buy my pants with a 32" waist, just like I did in my 20's. Who needs a Bowflex when you've got the bike?

So, keep at it; the returns are definitely worth it.

- L.

I agree whole heartedly this is a neat thread. I often think my bike rides feed my need for instant gratification.

Since I am knocking on 50's door and "only" averaging 16 mph on my 22 mile track, I thought that maybe I was at the end of my speed increases. Thanks to your post I think that there is still hope I will see advances.

Since I am knocking on 50's door and "only" averaging 16 mph on my 22 mile track, I thought that maybe I was at the end of my speed increases. Thanks to your post I think that there is still hope I will see advances.

+1

I'm 52, and work and family obligations only allow me to ride 2-3 times a week. I,too, average about 17 mph for the 20-25 mile training rides I do. This thread has given me hope for the future. Thanks!!

I rarely post in this forum, but do read it often. This thread prompted me to say "Great Job" to all that aspire to not let age take control of their life. I'm 57 and have ridden on and off for about 10 years. Work and other life issue got in the way of cycling until about a year ago. I had not ridden at all for 4 years and was pushing 270 lbs from lack of exercise and so on. I'm proud to say that after a year I'm at 205, less than I weighed in high school. My goal is about 180, but I'm very happy to have gotten this far.

I split my time between cycling and spinning at the gym. To be honest, I actually spin more than I ride, about 5-7 times a week, but that depends on the season. It's a great alternative to cycling in the 105F temps we've had recently.

Anyway, congrats to everyone making it to the top of the hill with a few heartbeats and breath to spare.

Keep up the good work!

-Milt (Atlanta)

I think that this is my favorite kind of post on 50+.

+1

I think we should have a sticky for 50+ stories like this one. This forum makes the 50+ years seem younger than I ever believed they are.

Edit: By the way, congratulations!:beer:

Inspiring stuff, bruce19. Thanks for sharing.